Mercedes has unveiled the W17 livery, the F1 car that drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli will race in 2026. On Thursday the Brackley outfit released the first digital renders of the new design via social media, ahead of the first winter tests starting next week in Barcelona. The W17 remains true to the distinctive black-and-silver colour scheme, complemented by the familiar Petronas green accents.
Alongside the livery, Mercedes also announced a new, significant partnership. Tech giant Microsoft joins as a partner and will be prominently visible on both the W17 and the team kit. According to Sky Sports the deal is reportedly worth as much as $60 million a year. The German manufacturer is already regarded as one of the favourites for the 2026 season, partly amid rumours that the team has found a loophole in the new power unit regulations. Through thermal expansion Mercedes could raise the compression ratio, which delivers significantly more power.
Heading into 2026
“Formula 1 will undergo a significant change in 2026 and we are well prepared for that transition,” responded Mercedes CEO and team principal Toto Wolff. “The new regulations demand innovation and an absolute focus on performance. Our work on the new car, as well as the long-term development of the power unit and Petronas’s advanced sustainable fuels, reflects that approach. Releasing the first images of the W17 is simply the next step in that process. It represents the combined and ongoing effort of our teams in Brixworth and Brackley. We will continue to work relentlessly in the months ahead.”
The coming weeks are entirely about preparation. Mercedes will join the other ten Formula 1 teams from 26 to 30 January for a private test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. On Monday 2 February there will be an online launch event, attended by both drivers, Wolff and other key figures from the team. After that the Formula 1 circus will move to Bahrain for two public pre-season tests.
